The Dr. Has gone insane Re-build
- Thread starter Dr.DiSilicate
- Start date
I would still do 20K Radiums with those ballasts. It won't overdrive them, but they still are awesome on magnetic ballasts. The bulbs will last 18-24 months on those ballasts.
If you are going to run that much blue, then have you considered 10K bulbs? I would still recommend that you get the 20K radiums because I think that once you get them going you won't want to run the other lights anymore and I honestly think that the Radiums will flouresce the corals better than the LED or T5 will.
If you are going to run that much blue, then have you considered 10K bulbs? I would still recommend that you get the 20K radiums because I think that once you get them going you won't want to run the other lights anymore and I honestly think that the Radiums will flouresce the corals better than the LED or T5 will.
Doug, I agree with both statements. The sand is only 6 weeks old! The great thing about having all the lighting is that I can just change the timers I'd I feel like it. I'll be counting on the halides to do the lions share if the real work. The rest if for shadowing and fun. Thanks for all the help.
On another note, Eddie just messages me on Facebook that the tank is assembled! He'll get me pics when they move the tank to the "curing table" still waiting on the furniture finisher to do finish the stand. Tank needs to cure 5 to 7 days before it gets shipped. The stand is out of cad's hands for the time being. It awaits dark stain and 6 coats or Polly urethane. It's been 8 days since I ordered, 6 business days. On time so far.
As I await the delivery of the tank, hopefully by the end of the month, I am trying to figure out how to move the fish, clams and few corals (all on rock) into the aquarium. I am using the sand from the 215 in the new tank as it was expensive and only 1 month old.
Here's a few things I need to consider... and would love peoples opinions on, really, how do i get the stuff into the new tank, without killing the fish etc. I really don't have anywhere here to hold the fish...
I am thinking of getting a stock tank for some rock, fish and clams while the new tank is getting ready? this seems like the best solution without buying new sand. If anyone has one I can borrow or rent i'd love to hear from you.
Anyone ever use Dr. Tim's one and only nitrifying bacteria? I may be able to cycle the new tank in a few days ( with the sand nd much of the rock i have) with it and then move the rest of the rock and fish in.
Also, rinse the sand? or not... THANK YOU for the suggestions and comments!
Here's a few things I need to consider... and would love peoples opinions on, really, how do i get the stuff into the new tank, without killing the fish etc. I really don't have anywhere here to hold the fish...
I am thinking of getting a stock tank for some rock, fish and clams while the new tank is getting ready? this seems like the best solution without buying new sand. If anyone has one I can borrow or rent i'd love to hear from you.
Anyone ever use Dr. Tim's one and only nitrifying bacteria? I may be able to cycle the new tank in a few days ( with the sand nd much of the rock i have) with it and then move the rest of the rock and fish in.
Also, rinse the sand? or not... THANK YOU for the suggestions and comments!
You saw the pics I posted. What I did was used those plastic tubs to hold any LR and corals. You can borrow them if you need to. I also have numerous power heads and heaters you could borrow. I reused all of my water and mixed up about 180 gallons of new salt water so I cold pitch any of the water in the tubs that was dirty. I drained the old tank and moved the sand. Once the sand was in I put down a plate to avoid stirring up the sand and poured the water on that. As the tank filled I added some LR. I added a heater, power heads, and let it sit over night. It was mostly clear the next day and I added the rest of the LR, corals, and waited another hour or so and added the fish. It was almost as clear as the day I drained it on Monday and I started the process on Saturday.
I have a 100 gallon stock tank you could use it needs to be cleaned out as there's a ton of calcium build up and coralline on it pm me if you need it. You should be able to move it all in a day. I moved my whole system in 16 hours. From one house to another. Just save all the water. I only lost one fish and one coral out of the deal.
Thanks Craig, what are the dimensions on the stock tank. Trying to figure out if I can get it in the grocery getter.lol
And yea, I have moved tanks from apartment to apartment and from colorado to Kansas without incident. I think my mistake this time was adding all new sand and then a bunch of dry rock from brs and other sources without curing it first.
Mural, Just too much at once for my bacteria to keep up with I think.
Still thinking of adding the bacteria in a bottle as well. Maybe give the sand a couple of days to settle while things are in the stock tank. Also time to set up lights and controller... Then move the livestock in.
And yea, I have moved tanks from apartment to apartment and from colorado to Kansas without incident. I think my mistake this time was adding all new sand and then a bunch of dry rock from brs and other sources without curing it first.
Mural, Just too much at once for my bacteria to keep up with I think.
Still thinking of adding the bacteria in a bottle as well. Maybe give the sand a couple of days to settle while things are in the stock tank. Also time to set up lights and controller... Then move the livestock in.
Hey, Like I said no rush, so feel free after the new tank arrives to keep the 215 for a another few weeks and just hold them in there? If the sand is in it and you've keep it running, should be able to add directly to new tank. (Otherwise I'd rinse.)
Actually. Im curious why a straight transfer wouldnt work since it's bigger to smaller? Take all the sand, siphon out then let sit in new tank for a few hours. (Dinner plate for adding more water, or if adding to water pvc tube to let sand hit bottom and not fly everywhere.) Transfer all the rock and all the water. Should mean you take all the bacteria you had.
When I moved my 55 that's essentially what I did was a straight transfer. As you said, the disaster really came from equipment failure/not completely cycled rock.
(But again to be safe, I don't mind you holding the 215 for a while longer, I've got everything in drums w/ heater/powerheads simmering away.)
Actually. Im curious why a straight transfer wouldnt work since it's bigger to smaller? Take all the sand, siphon out then let sit in new tank for a few hours. (Dinner plate for adding more water, or if adding to water pvc tube to let sand hit bottom and not fly everywhere.) Transfer all the rock and all the water. Should mean you take all the bacteria you had.
When I moved my 55 that's essentially what I did was a straight transfer. As you said, the disaster really came from equipment failure/not completely cycled rock.
(But again to be safe, I don't mind you holding the 215 for a while longer, I've got everything in drums w/ heater/powerheads simmering away.)
Fitz, thanks for being super accommodating! The tank is still running. I am just trying to do this in a measured way. I think your plan is solid. Just like mural did his and I have done successfully many times. Recent events excluded. I think I'll move rock and fish into a holding container of some sort, move the sand, add water and run for a day or two and then add the fish. I should have the bacteria I need in the sand and rock. My only concern is anything nasty inside the sand bed getting released during the move.